Panarin is being class act by saying up front what his intentions are.
CBJ can't say they don't know what to expect.
Sure, CBJ best interests short term are probably to get max return as opposed to keeping him for playoff push, get usable pieces for the future.
But Rangers are not the team to be making any payment for him now when he is UFA free next season. The player won't be miffed if we don't grab him now so when he gets here we are in better shape.
Also NYR does not want benefit of Panarin improving results this year and worsening their odds of getting best possible draft selection. A 3 overall pick and we can expedite this rebuild.
If CBJ does not want to go gung ho on playoffs this year, the build move is to deal Panarin asap for highest possible return. Panarin theoretically should be copacetic if his cup chances are all else being =.
While there are other possibilities, I see Boston as a good fit.
A superstar scorer won't hurt, and they have enough surplus of good picks that 3 or so better ones, if that much is surrendered, is so much, too much they can't handle such a cost paid, even if, win or lose, it is a one time playoff splurge for UFA.
NYR definitely out